Vascularisation in Deep Endometriosis: A Systematic Review with Narrative Outcomes



Powell, Simon G ORCID: 0000-0002-5553-5286, Sharma, Priyanka, Masterson, Samuel, Wyatt, James ORCID: 0000-0002-6456-0723, Arshad, Ilyas, Ahmed, Shakil, Lash, Gendie, Cross, Michael ORCID: 0000-0002-5533-1232 and Hapangama, Dharani K ORCID: 0000-0003-0270-0150
(2023) Vascularisation in Deep Endometriosis: A Systematic Review with Narrative Outcomes. CELLS, 12 (9). 1318-.

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Abstract

Deep endometriosis (DE) is the most severe subtype of endometriosis, with the hallmark of lesions infiltrating adjacent tissue. Abnormal vascularisation has been implicated in contributing to endometriosis lesion development in general, and how vascularisation influences the pathogenesis of DE, in particular, is of interest. This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines to elucidate and examine the evidence for DE-specific vascularisation. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL Library and Europe PubMed Central databases. The databases were searched from inception to the 13 March 2023. A total of 15 studies with 1125 patients were included in the review. The DE lesions were highly vascularised, with a higher microvessel density (MVD) than other types of endometriotic lesions, eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis and control tissue. Vascular endothelial growth factor, its major subtype (VEGF-A) and associated receptor (VEGFR-2) were significantly increased in the DE lesions compared to superficial endometriosis, eutopic endometrium and control tissue. Progestin therapy was associated with a significant decrease in the MVD of the DE lesions, explaining their therapeutic effect. This review comprehensively summarises the available literature, reporting abnormal vascularisation to be intimately related to the pathogenesis of DE and presents potentially preferential therapeutic targets for the medical management of DE.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: deep endometriosis, endometriosis, HIF-1A, microvessel density, systematic review, vascularisation, VEGF-A
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 02 Oct 2023 09:18
Last Modified: 02 Oct 2023 09:19
DOI: 10.3390/cells12091318
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12091318
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3173269